Methods and reagents for treating honeybees for parasitic mites

Abstract

The invention provides controlled release compositions for treatment of parasitic mites in honeybees, the compositions composed of a covalently crosslinked polymer gel and an active agent that includes a salt of formic acid. The invention also provides methods for controlling parasitic mites in honeybees, the methods involving treating the honeybees with a controlled release composition composed a covalently crosslinked polymer gel and an active agent that includes a salt of formic acid. The invention further provides a kit for treatment of parasitic mites in honeybees, the kit including an envelope that contains a controlled release composition of the invention. Optionally, the active agent can include formic acid.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to compositions and methods for controlling infestations of honeybee colonies. More particularly, the invention relates to compositions and methods for treating honeybees for parasitic infestations, such as mite infestations. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Parasitic mites have caused serious problems both for the beekeeping industry and more broadly in agriculture, since honeybees are important for pollination of many important crops. There are two types of parasitic mites that cause problems for honeybees. Both Varroa jacobsoni and the tracheal mite Acarapis woodi cause infestations that have resulted in extensive reductions in honeybee populations. The successful management of honeybees in the face of these pests requires multiple approaches for control, including breeding of resistant strains and various treatments and control measures. [0003] Various treatments have been attempted to control parasitic mites in honeybees, al...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] In one preferred embodiment, the inventive compositions and methods provide less hazardous and more convenient techniques for treating honeybees, as well as greater control of the rate of release of the active agent. In preferred embodiments, the rate of release of the active agent is at least partly controlled by the polymer gel composition itself. This is in contrast to prior methods and compositions that rely upon packaging of a pest control composition to control release of the active agent. In preferred embodiments, the invention allows the option of formulating gels having different release rates for use under different conditions of weather and hive conditions, such as levels of mite infestation.

[0015] In another aspect of the invention, the active agent is incorporated into a covalently crosslinked polymer gel. The resulting gel can be cast into any desirable shape, for example, by polymerizing appropriate monomers in a solution containing the active ingredient and optional additives. According to this aspect of the invention, the active ingredient is provided in a mechanically stable, firm, and / or non-flowing state. This is in contrast to prior compositions that are provided in the form of a paste-like gel that is capable of flowing (and are thus more hazardous for the user and for shipping and handling). Moreover, the covalently crosslinked polymer gel formulation of the invention can, in preferred embodiments, allow greater control over rates of release of the active agent compared with liquid formic acid. Preferably, the inventive covalently crosslinked polymeric gel compositions do not require manipulation by the user to change physical or chemical characteristics of the composition, such as dilution of the composition prior to application to a hive (as can be required when liquid formic acid is used).

[0016] In preferred aspects, the covalently crosslinked polymer gel also provides an advantageously stable polymeric matrix for delivery of the active agent. When a polymer gel is formulated to include a high concentration of ionic species, the stability of the polymer gel can be difficult to maintain. More specifically, the polymer gels of the invention include high concentrations of ionic species (acid ions). The covalent crosslinking creates a polymeric matrix that maintains the acid ions in a stable, non-flowable format. The inventive polymer gels provide a more stable matrix than gels that are formed using ionic associations or ionic crosslinking. The framework of the polymer gel that is formed by ionic associations or crosslinking may be susceptible to attack by ionic species (for example, acid ions) causing a breakdown of the polymer gel (which, in turn, can result in a flowable gel). In preferred aspects, the components of the inventive compositions are easily combined to provide a well-dispersed mixture containing active agent that can be subsequently polymerized to provide a stable polymer gel. In other words, the active agent can be dissolved in the other components of the polymer gel, and the mixture can be polymerized to form a uniform distribution of active agent within the polymer gel. In preferred aspects, the resulting covalently crosslinked polymer gel provides a mechanically stable product that does not readily flow and / or release liquid formic acid.

[0017] In other preferred aspects, the invention can provide polymeric materials wherein stability of the polymeric material is independent of any packaging considerations and / or characteristics. For example, the mechanically stable polymer gel provides a matrix that releases formic acid vapors only, and not liquid formic acid. As such, the packaging materials and conditions for the inventive compositions can be much more flexible than prior formulations that rely upon liquid formic acid or formic acid compositions that are flowable.

[0018] According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the active agent can include a salt of formic acid, either as the sole active agent, or in combination with formic acid. According to these embodiments, the active ingredient can be provided in a partially neutralized form that can advantageously reduce hazards associated with handling the composition.

Problems solved by technology

Parasitic mites have caused serious problems both for the beekeeping industry and more broadly in agriculture, since honeybees are important for pollination of many important crops.

Various treatments have been attempted to control parasitic mites in honeybees, although limitations of currently available treatments include toxicity of the chemicals used, marginal effectiveness, inconvenience of use, difficulties in registration of the composition with environmental agencies, mite resistance, and / or contamination of beeswax.

This product is stated to be only 75% effective, so does not provide a complete treatment.

Unfortunately, there are now strains of mites that are resistant to both fluvalinate and coumaphos.

Furthermore, there are concerns about contamination of honey and beeswax with these agents.

However, none of these materials is active against both types of parasitic mites.

Formic acid has been used quite effectively in much of the world to control mite infestation, but it is not currently registered for use in the United States.

However, formic acid is corrosive and toxic; thus, using it can be hazardous for the user.

In addition, use of the IMP apparatus often necessitates the removal of part of the honeycomb from the hive to meet space requirements.

However, due to problems of leakage from the packaging, it was removed from the market after a short time.

Formic acid is very corrosive and safely dispensing it inside the beehive has been problematic.

Moreover, because formic acid is a strong acid, it can destroy gelling agents and / or prevent adequate gel stability (thus resulting in failure to form a stable gel, leakiness of the resulting gel, and other similar stability problems).

Formic acid can be difficult to mix with other reagents as well, which can also contribute to instability problems of resulting gels.

Further, current methods can require handling liquid formic acid, frequent applications and / or extensive hive manipulation.